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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Scholarships, Trust Funds, College Savings

Ah, where to begin. I've got years before my children even enter college. Well, I take that back, one is as smart as a whip and we joke that she'll be graduating high school at 15 or 16. Hey, you never know!

At any rate, the looming costs of college are frightening at best. I'm still paying my own and can barely even think about what financial atrocities college will bring when it's my own children. I've mentioned the military academies to my husband. His response was a resounding "NO"! I had to laugh because despite his stubborn stance that our children will not join the military, he truly can't make that decision for him. Silly man.

Trust me, I've been there with my own parents. My mom said no and I did it anyway.

I will say, that if given the chance to go back in time, I'd likely have pursued the collegiate root with a little more energy. I had wanted to attend Annapolis, but somewhere along the way I lost sight of that and was hell bent on enlisting. I am torn personally because I have a strong belief in the backbone of the Armed Forces being the enlisted ranks. That's where my allegiance truly lies. Still, I'd be delighted to see my children enter a service school. What a honor. What a privilege.

Perhaps your children are of age to start looking at their future and academics. Why not consider application to a service school? There are some great ones to choose from, but it's not going to happen overnight. There is a lot of work that goes into applying and you must be vigilant in making sure you have all your ducks in a row.

Service Adademies

U.S. Military Academy - West Point
The Coast Guard Academy
The Naval Academy - Anapolis
Air Force Academy
Merchant Marine Academy

For some of my international readers over in the UK:
Royal Military Academy - Sandhurst

I'm sure there are dozens I'm leaving out. Please excuse this very short list.

Back here in the states:

If you are in Michigan, you surely heard about the new tuition plan to help military families. If not, read more: HERE

Finally, learn more about military student aid : FINAID

3 comments:

Flo said...

Great resources, and how wonderful of you to encourage your kids to consider the academies! I wish I'd done more research about them before I applied to college. I had these mental images of boot camp and screaming gunnies for four years, which was why I didn't give the military academies any consideration. By the time I'd discovered how fascinating and fulfilling the military could be, I was a junior in college. Sigh.

The Mrs. said...

Lots of good resources! I am dreading the thought of how much schools are going to cost when my kids are at that point. Someone better be going to an academy!

Its interesting you should say that you think the backbone of the services is enlisted. I couldnt agree more. While officers are important no doubt, I think from time to time the enlisted ranks get a bad rap. My husband had a nomination to annapolis and three days after receiving it he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He doesnt regret his decision to say the least. I'll be interested to see where my boys end up in life. Although I have some time.

Just a Girl in a Port said...

Wow, I'm surprised by your husband's decision. I hadn't gotten to that point. I looked at Annapolis briefly and got antsy and had no patience for the application period and I enlisted. In hindsight, I wish I had gone the other route. Though, I am grateful for the path I did take.

We'll have to chat some more on this.